As the All Blacks and Springboks' rivalry goes to a whole new level in 2019, Steve Hansen hailed the competitive relationship between the two sides.
Hosting the Springboks in Wellington this weekend, the All Blacks will be aiming for a good look at South Africa, the two nations to meet again in their opening match of this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.
However, Hansen's comments earlier this month stating that the Rugby Championship was his third priority behind the World Cup and the Bledisloe Cup has been seen by some as derogatory towards the Springboks.
Speaking to media in Wellington, Hansen opened up about what the rivalry with the Springboks means to his side ahead of facing off in Wellington on Saturday.
"The tradition is really important," Hansen began.
"We enjoy their company, we think a lot of them, we respect them very much. We love the way they play and we love the challenge they bring to us.
"From that point of view, it's a really important encounter, it's the next one so it's really, really important.
This weekend's match could prove vital to either side, the winner certain to take the upper hand into the World Cup meeting.
"In the big scheme of this year, does the result matter? I guess it'll give whoever wins it a little bit of confidence going into the World Cup. But it won't mean whoever wins this one will automatically win the one in the World Cup.
"Even then, whoever wins that one, it doesn't mean the other team is knocked out of the World Cup either.
"In the big scheme, it gives everyone the opportunity to have a good look at each other and feel each other out, but I don't think it's going to affect the World Cup."
The All Blacks face South Africa at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night, before the blockbuster World Cup encounter on September 21 in Yokohama.
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